Binotto predicts Vettel stay in 2018

Ferrari's technical boss Mattia Binotto believes that Sebastian Vettel will not be tempted by another team and leave Ferrari at the end of 2017. Currently, Vettel's contract with Ferrari expires at the end of 2017 as he signed a three-year deal in 2015.

Vettel's first two years at the team were a struggle, collecting just three wins in forty races (all wins coming in 2015). However, in 2017, Vettel has already collected three wins in the first six races and has led the driver standings from the start of the year.

Team principal of Ferrari Maurizio Arrivabene previously stated that they would be willing to negotiate a new contract with the German if he "calmed down", as 2016 brought out many frustrating bursts from Vettel.

"Vettel is not only one of our drivers, he is a multi world champion," Binotto said. "I think he will stay with us. Why? Because there is nothing more beautiful for a formula one driver than to win with the reds," he told Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Vettel won Ferrari's first race in Monaco since 2001 two weeks ago: "It was 16 years since Ferrari had won in the Principality, so I think victory was a liberation," Binotto continued. "It was a victory that made us realise we have a fast car and we can now compete on par. Or prove to be even stronger than the others."

Fergal Walsh